Reliability and dedication are important qualities for any police officer, but they’re especially important for the officer in charge of the midnight shift. Everyone sleeps a little more soundly knowing their safety is in capable hands.

Bedford police officer Phillip Mahoney hopes to prove worthy of his community’s trust. After he was promoted to patrol sergeant Aug. 21, his new position includes overseeing the midnight shift and numerous other responsibilities.

Sgt. Mahoney took some time to share what drew him to a career in law enforcement, his work as one of the department’s firearms instructors and what kinds of calls come in to the police station overnight.

Here’s part of the conversation:

Q: How long have you been a member of the Bedford Police Department? What other positions have you held over the years?

A: I have been employed by the Bedford Police for 16 years. I started as a special officer, which is a part-time position. I was offered the opportunity to become full-time and took advantage of that chance in January 2007.

Q: Have you worked for any other police departments?

A: Though I had tested for other departments, Bedford is the only police department I have worked for.

Q: What made you decide to pursue a career in law enforcement?

A: I had friends with relatives in law enforcement when I was younger, and their stories piqued my interest. Although I tried other occupations, I returned to my quest to be in law enforcement. I guess civic duty and participating in a challenging career appealed to me.

Q: What will your responsibilities be in your new position?

A: As a patrol sergeant, I will be responsible to run a shift, overseeing the activities of the patrolmen working and assisting them in the performance of their duties. Providing guidance, training and verifying the completion of assigned tasks are all part of the requirements.

Q: You’ll be overseeing the department’s midnight shift. What hours does that entail? What sort of calls come in during this shift?

A: The midnight shift runs during the overnight hours. Calls range from assisting citizens to alarms and everything in between. DWI and traffic enforcement are ongoing issues, as well as building checks, suspicious activity calls and directed patrols to detect, solve or deter other crimes.

Q: How does the midnight shift compare to other times of the day in terms of the number of calls received?

A: Usually there are fewer calls for service, but the calls can have the potential to be more serious in nature. There can be a difference in the type of people and activities that you deal with during those hours.

Q: I hear you’re also a field training officer. What does this entail?

A: An FTO, or Field Training Officer, is tasked to train new hires to the department and help them learn and adjust to the department’s operating policies. They teach and review current laws and ordinances, as well as training the new officer how to navigate the town. They are required to ensure that the new officer has the required knowledge to perform the job on his or her own. They constantly teach and review laws, policies and procedures, emergency vehicle operation, officer safety, response to calls, report writing and all aspects that are required to function as a patrol officer.

Q: I hear you’re also a firearms instructor for the Bedford Police Department. What are the requirements for becoming a firearms
instructor?

A: The New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council requires that firearms instructors be trained and certified by the council. You must be able to qualify with the weapon for which the class is taught, as well as demonstrate that you can teach the required materials. As a firearms instructor, you are tasked with teaching an annual “use of force” class and conducting yearly firearms qualifications.

Q: What does firearms training involve for Bedford police officers?

A: Officers are taught the laws regarding use of force as well as department policy regarding use of force, firearms and less lethal weapons. Firearms training is ongoing, and officers are required to qualify with the handgun they carry, as well as with the patrol shotgun and patrol rifle. Judicious use of force, less lethal weapons and decision-making are always part of ongoing training.

Q: What are your goals for your new position?

A: To hopefully be as successful as those supervisors who came before me. To keep the officers I work with safe, as well as the members of this community. To keep a good working relationship between the Police Department and the community so that we ensure that Bedford is a good place to live and work.

Q: How else are you involved in the Bedford community?

A: I have had limited roles outside this department, but due to being a resident, I have had great interactions with many members of the community. Many contacts with residents at sporting events or other locations in town have led to questions and allowed me to give insight into my job.